WG ECHO October 2017 Issue

ECHO See pg. 4: ‘Fall play presents relevant topics’

October 2017 Volume 103 Issue 2 Photo by Trinity Madison

100 Selma Ave st. Louis MO 63119 WGECHO.org

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Table of Contents

ECHO

Pg. 3 America needs tougher gun laws Pg. 3 Letter to the Editor Pg. 4 Webster’s fall play presents relevant topics Pg. 4 National Merit recognizes scholars Pg. 5 Students share Friendship Dance opinions Pg. 6 Senior achieves perfect 36 on ACT Pg. 7 MakerSpace adds innovation to students’ lives Pg. 7 Camp Wyman is fun, learning experience Pg. 8-9 Teachers share Halloween memories Pg. 10 Men’s swim team heads to MSHSAA State meet Pg. 10 Fall sports teams honor former student Pg. 11 Webster Tackles Cancer sponsors local families Pg. 12 Athlete breaks softball hitting record Pg. 12 Basketball player commits to University of Tulsa Pg. 13 Hashtag creates empathy, advocates for victims Pg. 14 Playtime is over for Toys to Life genre Pg. 15 Green’s new novel fails to meet expectations Pg. 16 Birthday thriller puts viewers on edge

2017-18 ECHO STAFF

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Caroline Fellows JUNIOR EDITOR: Cole Schnell PRINT EDITOR: Riley Mullgardt BUSINESS/ADS MANAGER: Evelyn Trampe VIDEO EDITOR: Ashli Wagner SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER: Natalie Johnson NEWS/OPINION EDITOR: Elise Keller SPORTS EDITOR: Greg Frazier FEATURE EDITOR: Rosa Parks PODCAST EDITOR: Eleanor Marshall ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: Josie Krueger GRAPHICS EDITOR: Sean Mullins ADVISOR: Donald Johnson

SOME MATERIAL COURTESY OF AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEWSPAPER EDITORS/MCT CAMPUS HIGH SCHOOL NEWSPAPER SERVICE The ECHO is a monthly publication of the newspaper staff of Webster Groves High School, 100 Selma Avenue, Webster Groves, MO. To contact staff members, call 314-963-6400 ex. 11157 or write to wgecho@wgmail.org.

Unsigned editorials are the opinion of a majority of staff members; signed articles are the opinion of the writer.

Letters to the editor of 300 words or less are welcome; submit letters by the 10th of the month to wgecho@wgmail.org, or room 155. All letters must be signed, although the name may be withheld from publication if requested. The ECHO has the right to edit letters for publication as long as intent remains unchanged.

The ECHO is a member of SSP, Quill and Scroll, MJEA, JEA, MIPA, NSPA and CSPA.

October 2017

The ECHO FAMILY The ECHO Family helps make the ECHO possible. To become a member of the ECHO Family, please contact wgecho@wgmail.org. Thanks to all of our members!

Melanie Bennett Curtin Family Fellows Family Jean Dugan Meghan Gray Aerin Johnson Phil Wojak Ernie Yilmaz wgecho.org

ECHO

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Opinion

Ellie’s Expression

America needs tougher gun laws Eleanor Marshall Opinion Columnist Recent events in Las Vegas have brought to light the issues our country has regarding gun rights.

On one hand, it’s our right to have a gun. The Second Amendment says so. On the other hand, one person doesn’t need 50 guns in his or her garage.

In the United States there is no legal limit on how many guns a person can own.

According to an article by Stefan Becket for CBS news, “Police said (Stephan) Paddock had at least 23 firearms in his hotel suite. He had been staying in the room since Sept. 28. They said another 19 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, explosives and electronics were found at his home at a retirement community in Mesquite, NV, about 75 miles northeast of Las Vegas.”

To buy a gun, one must go through a background check.

According to an article written by Gregory Korte for USA today, “There are 10 types of people who would be rejected by a background check: felons, fugitives, drug addicts, the mentally ill, illegal immigrants, some legal immigrants, people who have renounced U.S. citizenship, people under restraining orders, people convicted of domestic violence and anyone charged with a crime that could bring more than a year in prison are ineligible.

Most checks take just minutes over a computer. Under federal law, a check that takes more than three days means the sale can proceed.”

This might seem fair, and even tough, but there are many ways to get around the law.

“Some (gun shows) are federally licensed dealers who must

follow the same regulations as if they were operating out of a store, but gun shows are also frequented by private collectors who set up tables to buy, sell and trade guns. These sales do not require a federal license if they’re made between two people in the same state, and Public Domain Photo from Wikimedia Commons they don’t require a background check,” The FBI ran over 15 million background checks for people seeking to Korte said.

Current law also buy guns like this MP-446 “Viking” allows for sales be- 9mm handgun in 2015. tween private citizens. This means a regular person can buy a gun and sell it to a person who would normally be rejected in a background check.

“If you want to give a gun to your son or daughter or you want to sell it to your neighbors or friends, there is no background check required,” Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont said during the Congress floor debate.

America must tighten up gun laws.

To that end, citizens can call or write their congressmen and governors and ask them to support stricter gun regulations in their state, and to support bills that extend federal gun control.

Letter to the Editor No matter where you are, who you are, what race, or age you are, you will have daily choices. Whether it is as small as what to eat or when to sleep, you have those choices.

At one point, I could not make half of the smallest choices most the kids now days can. I can truly say that we all need to appreciate what we have, whether it is a residential placement or your family home. For me I had to make a big choice, do I move on and move out of my house or do I keep on living with my parents? Lots of us do not have that choice, but some will and do.

The bottom line is respect that is a big choice we need to keep

in mind. Teens nowadays do not think 100 percent of the time about this, which could land you in lots of trouble or lots of success.

If you choose not to have respect, you could end up like me a couple months back where I could not even go outside when I want. Do yourself a favor and keep thinking to yourself, “Is that respectful?”

Sincerely, Devon Melton

Have an opinion?

Write a letter to the editor!

Send it to wgecho@wgmail.org

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October 2017

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News

ECHO

National Merit recognizes scholars Ashli Wagner Video Editor

Juniors across the country take the PSAT every February. Of the highest scoring students, 50,000 receive some sort of recognition. This year Webster Groves High school has six students who received recognition.

This fall, principal Dr. Jon Clark and counselor Karen Verstraete told students who had received recognition for the National Merit Scholarship before the list was given out to the public. Senior Elliot Williams is a commended student, and seniors Andy Downey, Brendan Gillow, Keillyn Johnson, Jack Snelling, and Ethan Whitaker are all semifinalists.

“It was cool; it’s nice to be in the top 1 percent ” said semifinalist senior Keillyn Johnson.

Students received recognition from the school board Monday, Oct. 9. Superintendent John Simpson handed out awards and handshakes to the six students who were announced by National Merit.

Students who become semifinalists can receive a scholarship from certain colleges throughout the country all varying in size.

Photo by Donald Johnson

Senior Jack Snelling receives recognition from superintendent John Simpson. All six students were recognized by the school board on Monday Oct. 9.

Some colleges give out full rides whereas some colleges don’t give any scholarship money.

Semifinalists complete an application similar to a college application listing their academic achievements, clubs, etc. along with a personal essay. Applications were turned in at the beginning of October, and the finalists will be announced in the Spring.

Webster’s fall play presents relevant topics Josie Krueger Entertainment Columnist

Written by John Logan and taking place in mid-1920s Chicago, “Never the Sinner” was performed by the drama department on Oct. 19, 20, and 21. This was the 2017 Fall Main Stage Play.

Senior Elliot Williams, with the role of Nathan Leopold, said, “It’s a historical piece about the 1924 Leopold and Loeb Murder Case,” the basic plot consisting of “a contract between two teenage boys, consisting of an equal exchange of sexual activity for criminal activity.”

“Never the Sinner” is polar opposite to “The Little Mermaid,” the most recent fall play performed at WGHS. It is a well-known but rarely produced play because of the controversial and dark topics it embodies. As well as dark topics, there are also relevant topics.

Todd Schaefer, drama teacher, said, “It’s a death penalty case...

One of the longest running debates of mankind: whether we as the state should ever hop into the shoes of the killer and become killers ourselves.”

The other central factor is that the two accused killers were reading Nietzsche. Nietzsche is an author who created the philosophy of the superman. Living this philosophy is what sparked Richard Loeb’s plan to kill 14 year-old Bobby Franks.

With such a dark and heavy play, not only the audience is affected, but the actors also.

“It’s a very intense position to throw young teenagers in, they were playing rather heavy situation: murdering people on stage kind of situation, and psychologically it’s a very heavy drama. So that’s the biggest challenge, is checking in on my actors, making

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Photo by Trinity Madison

Senior Trevor Zink questions junior Christian Ragain during opening night of “Never the Sinner.” sure everyone is kind of slipping back into a normal day, letting the show go.”

Succeeding the play, Schaefer said, “I think it was well received. When your principal gets on the announcements the next morning and encourages the school to come see it, we’ve done our job... By Saturday night, the show was flawless. It was seriously running exactly how I envisioned it, so they rocked it out.”

Principal Jon Clark also enjoyed the production, the day after opening night advising all students to attend the play if they could on the announcements.

“What a great performance from our students. In my 22 years here, I will say this is one of the best I have seen (if not the best). It was more graphic than I expected and was definitely for a mature audience, but the cast handled the difficult material well and gave riveting performances. Thanks to the entire cast and crew,” Clark said.

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5 Students share Friendship Dance opinions

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Feature

Photo from 1996 WGHS Yearbook

Webster Groves and Kirkwood students dance at 1995 Friendship Dance in Roberts Gym.

Caroline Fellows Editor-in-Chief With nearly 2,000 students in attendance from both Webster Groves High School and Kirkwood High School, Roberts Gym will be crowded again this November.

Friendship is one of the oldest traditions between the two rival schools, symbolizing their friendship before the Turkey Day game. Serving as a version of homecoming, it takes place over a month after the traditional Homecoming season.

The ECHO conducted a poll about Friendship vs. a traditional homecoming and 110 Webster students replied. Of the responses, 43.1 percent agreed Webster should have its own homecoming, 34.9 percent disagreed, and 22 percent were unsure.

Students could explain their choice, and many believed Friendship is unique to Webster and Kirkwood and is tradition; therefore it would be a shame to take it away.

“To get rid of this dance together would be like getting rid of the Turkey Day game. Both are ingrained traditions of both schools that would be a terrible loss of friendship between two great towns and the history that accompanies this joined homecoming,” one student said.

While some students argued the dance provided a chance for Webster and Kirkwood students to overcome their differences and celebrate the friendly rivalry, others argued that students of the opposing schools don’t interact with each other.

“Most people don’t even talk to the Kirkwood people, so you’re not becoming ‘friends,’ ” one student said.

The Kirkwood Call asked Kirkwood students if they would prefer Friendship to involve both schools or just Kirkwood. Of 208 replies, 64.9 percent thought it should just be for Kirkwood students, and 35.1 percent thought it should be for both schools.

“It’s part of the connection,” assistant principal John Raimondo said about Friendship and the relationship between Webster and Kirkwood. “The football game goes way back, but [removing the dance] would have some impact even though the game is at the center.”

According to assistant activities director and football coach

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Cliff Ice, the Friendship Dance started when the football rivalry between Webster and Kirkwood became violent. The game wasn’t played for a few years, so Friendship was started to heal the animosity and renew the rivalry.

“Part of the attraction is that it’s with Kirkwood,” activities director Jerry Collins said about Friendship. There are usually more outside guests than other dances because Friendship attracts non-Webster or Kirkwood friends that want to experience a unique dance.

Although Friendship has remained for nearly 80 years, the administration did consider some students’ opinion that Webster should have its own homecoming.

“About five-six years ago we wondered is [Friendship] really a homecoming dance? So we attached a homecoming to basketball in January,” Raimondo said.

Webster used to have a Sweetheart Dance but changed it in 2011 to Winter Homecoming and attached a doubleheader basketball game and spirit week.

“When we first did it, there was a lot of excitement, we created spirit week in the winter,” Ice said. This enthusiasm has evaporated and this year the dance will be called Winter Dance with no homecoming festivities.

Several generations of Webster and Kirkwood students have experienced Friendship, and in terms of the longevity of Friendship, Ice said, “Tradition has prevailed, and we felt that students have always liked it that way.”

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October 2017

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Feature

ECHO

Senior achieves perfect 36 on ACT

Photo by Natalie Johnson

Last April Missouri offered a free ACT to juniors state wide.

Senior Ben Krasnoff received a perfect 36 on his ACT. Of all ACT test takers only 0.06 percent receive a perfect score.

Natalie Johnson Social Media Manager

around on the questions, he was able to get more completed and correct.

4) Review materials learned a long time ago The ACT tests on material learned throughout student’s education. When preparing, Krasnoff looked back on material he was taught in previous years. “They’re not testing you on calculus,” Krasnoff reminds test takers. He found refreshing his memory to be helpful on questions about older curriculum.

Krasnoff does not like the ACT. He thinks it enables admission offices to “not take into account who you are as a person… it dehumanizes a student down to a number.” Although Krasnoff understands why there is test (there needs to be a general way to measure academic intelligence), he believes there must be a better way to assess students.

He wishes to attend Washington University in St. Louis, and although undecided on a major knows he wants to go into something related to science, something he has always been interested in.

Academics have always been a top priority of Krasnoff. He considers himself to have a very encouraging family that has supported him throughout his academic career. Krasnoff describes his family as “very intelligent people” that he wants to be like.

Despite having invested time in studying, senior Ben Krasnoff was surprised when he saw his perfect score. A 36 on the ACT is a rare and highly coveted feat.

The ACT is an exam used by higher education establishments to evaluate prospective students. The test covers the subjects of math, reading, science and English, and is scored on a scale of one to 36. One’s score can be used to determine eligibility for admittance, financial aid and other scholarships. Krasnoff was one of the nearly 0.06 percent of ACT test takers to achieve a perfect score.

Krasnoff has advice to offer to peers taking the ACT exam.

1) It’s important to know the pattern “This enables you to find questions that are easy and extrapolate from there,” Krasnoff said. Understanding how the test works makes it easier to pinpoint areas requiring more time, or types of questions that are quick to solve. Krasnoff had to work the hardest at perfecting the English section.

2) Take a practice course Krasnoff took a class by the Princeton Review, a service that provides ACT and SAT takers with preparatory material, as well as the ACT prep class offered here at WGHS. Krasnoff thought the high school class was “pretty useful” and said it was helpful to take practice tests to review his work and note what questions he got wrong. ACT.org and princetonreview.com offer preparation materials.

3) You don’t have to do the questions in order Krasnoff found it beneficial when budgeting his time to be mindful of how much time each question required. By skipping

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wgecho.org

Feature ECHO 7 MakerSpace adds innovation to students’ lives Rosa Parks Feature Editor Hidden away in the old academic lab classrooms sits a program that Webster Groves High School has never had before.

The room is called MakerSpace, and it is a brand new addition to the school.

Dr. Greg Fick, social studies teacher, has had a major role in the making of MakerSpace.

About what MakerSpace is, Fick said, “MakerSpace is many things. It’s a place to work on the design process; it’s a place for creativity.”

MakerSpace, which is located in room 334, is open to students from second to seventh hour. It is staffed by miscellaneous teachers during those times. Students who are in academic labs may work in MakerSpace, but only after they have gotten the permission slips signed. The permission slip, which requires a student and parent signature, can be found on the Google Classroom for MakerSpace; the code for the classroom is 16mqxo.

Also on the Google Classroom page is an idea proposal sheet, where students can fill out a quick survey about the project they would like to do.

The projects that are now available in MakerSpace, include creating and editing videos, 3D-printing, creating clothing textiles and others. MakerSpace was made possible by a donor, who gave a grant of around $100,000 to the cause.

Photo by Rosa Parks

MakerSpace offers students access to a “MakerBot” 3D printer.

Thomas Putnam, senior, who made a mini Groot on the 3Dprinter, said, “I think everyone should check out MakerSpace, there are lots of awesome tools in there, and it’s a fantastic resource that our school has.”

Many teachers have already hopped on the bandwagon of MakerSpace. Some of these include, Todd Schafer, Sarah Romanowski, Skylar Garcia, Brent Mackey, Lauren Maedge and some others.

About what MakerSpace will bring out in students, Fick said, “We’re hoping that this will promote design thinking.” Design thinking, which is the process of coming up with solutions by using creative thinking, can be used to create a more innovative workplace or classroom.

Camp Wyman is fun, learning experience Eleanor Marshall Podcast Editor

Wildwood’s woods in Missouri hold a paradise for middle schoolers and high schoolers alike. This paradise is Camp Wyman.

At 7 a.m., Camp Wyman is already as lively as ever.

Junior Emilee Killeen said, “Everyday we would wake up around 6:50, so my kids could shower and get ready for the day.

Before every meal we would all sing camp songs, and everyone got really into them.”

Then it is time for fun.

“We would go to two activities a day for 2 1/2 hours for each one (like rock climbing, team bonding, water aquatics, etc).”

“The kids had field time in the middle of the day, which was the counselors’ favorite time because we got an hour break and got to go on our phones. We would have some cabin time with our kids to clean. Our cabins got ready for bed around 10,” Kileen said.

Despite a Thursday night fire, Killeen still loved her experience as a counselor.

“To be honest I didn’t really hate anything about Camp Wyman. If anything I wish the week could’ve ended differently.

The girls are all still traumatized, and I wish they all could just have of had a better time. I liked the break I got from school, and

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Photo by Ryan Waelterman

Sixth graders Arianna Eichberg and Emma Wiles work on cutting a log using a two hand saw. Senior Hollen Peterson watches over them.

my phone just to be in nature with a bunch of fun kids and get to know the counselors on a personal level. Also during break the counselors would gossip about the sixth grade drama, and it was always so entertaining,” Killeen said.

“I wanted to be a counselor because my experience as a fifth grader at camp wasn’t fun because my cabin counselor was mean, so I wanted kids to have a way better experience than I did. Being a counselor was way better than being a camper. I loved being in charge of kids and being a role model for them. I was so lucky to have amazing kids,” Killeen said.

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Teachers share Hallowe

an Olaf breaking and entering story,” Petter said Leah Poe Music teacher Leah Poe’s funniest Elise Keller Halloween story happened in 2013, News Editor her first year teaching at the high school.

Halloween is fast ap“Five years ago I was the new kid on proaching, and as the the block and was coming from Steger students prepare their and Hixson, where the staff loves to costumes and put final dress up and do themes. I came in on touches on decorations, my first Halloween at WGHS dressed the ECHO asked faculty as Snow White complete with the red to reflect on their years of hair bow and was just about the only Halloween traditions person here dressed up. I embraced it Jon Petter and had a good time but have since Photo provided by B Photo provided by Jon Petter As a child, social stud- Social Studies teacher Jon Petter toned down my school attire on Hal- German teacher Brent Mackey parachute pants in his pirate c ies teacher, Jon Petter, dresses as Slimer from “Ghostloween,” Poe said. trick-or-treated every year busters.”

“My dorky, musical-loving tween almost always as a Batself decided to dress as the Phantom of the OpWhen reflecting, Gr man related character, and was in particular a big fan of era, complete with cape and mask,” Poe said about her minute,” and she had “ the 1960s “Batman” television show. Petter especially favorite childhood costume. as a ghost.” liked Burgess Meredith’s character, Penguin, but never Poe’s overall favorite costume was in adulthood rather As well, this costu had the opportunity to dress up as Penguin because his than in her middle school glory. “My absolute favorite own obstacles. “I was older brother did. Although as a child Petter was upset, was when my daughter and I dressed as Anna and Elsa ging on the ground,” s he never got to dress up as one of his favorite Batman from ‘Frozen.’”

On the other hand, characters, he didn’t let that spoil the holiday.

“I graciously allowed her to be Elsa,” Poe said. better.

Petter thinks it’s “great to watch” his own children ex- Nicholas Kirschman “My favorite [costu perience Halloween and shares his “funniest” run in with “I did trick or treat as a kid. My thoughts as an adult grandma sewed the dr the holiday involving his son Gabe. is this is very creepy middle school blackmail of your for me. I wore red tig “[Gabe] was so excited to trick or treat that year that he neighbors. Taking candy from strangers -- who does this stripes,” Gray said. kept running ahead to houses. Next thing we know, he is anymore?” social studies teacher Nicholas Kirschman There’s more to Ha at a house that was having a Halloween party that wasn’t said about the holiday. “Today, I tend to hide in a restau- some of our early Ha quite ready for trick or treaters, but Gabe slammed open rant Halloween night to avoid the trick-or-treaters.” cause of where and wi their front door, and we saw them all jump up and scream About his own trick-or-treating experience, Kirschman “[My most memora through their living room window. Nothing funnier than said, “I stopped trick-or-treating when a very intoxicated with my grandma, wh

Evelyn Trampe Business Manager

Students, teachers weigh in on age old question Elise Keller News Editor Dating back to the middle ages, trick or treating on Halloween night is a fall tradition many look forward to. Well, maybe not everyone. Not when someone is too old for it.

The ECHO took to the polls to finally find the answer to “At what age should the fun end?”

October 2017

Out of 74 respondents, a majority of 20 students said the tradition should end at age 13 or 14. The next largest response, 16 students said people should never stop trick or treating.

One junior suggested most stop at nine, and that person stopped trick or treating at age eight.

Twenty-two students, however, said they stopped at age 14 or during their freshman year, and 10 students said they still go out

and beg their neighbors for candy.

Seven of the students who said they still trick or treated were sophomores or juniors, and one senior said he or she still does.

Some are so adamant on restricting teenagers’ fun in this season that in 2008, Belleville, IL, passed a bill that prohibited trick or treating for children over the age of 12.

The reasoning behind the law was that older children were “knocking on doors after 9 at night, and the people who lived in the

wgecho.org

een memories

couple invited a group of us into their living room to perform. I had no interest after that.”

Sarah Gray Most people, when asked of all of the things that they remember most vividly about their childhood, will include memories of their best and worst HalBrent Mackey loween costumes.

English teacher, y sports costume.

Sarah Gray, is no exception. ray said her worst costume was “last “...cut two holes in a sheet and went

ume presented young Gray with its s too short and the sheet kept dragshe said. some costumes just work out a lot

ume] has to be Raggedy Ann. My ress and apron and made a yarn wig ghts with masking tape for the white

alloween than just the costumes, and alloween memories are so vivid beith whom we spent them. able Halloween was the year] I lived ho had a house in the woods with,

like, three neighbors nearby. She drove me to my friend’s place. Her family lived in a trailer park a few miles away. It was the fastest trick-ortreating ever,” Gray said.

Brent Mackey Some people trick or treat on Halloween, but German teacher, Brent Mackey enjoys using the holiday as an excuse to play practical jokes on friends.

“My friends and Photo provided by Sarah Gray I TP-ed someone’s English teacher Sarah Gray wears the Raggedy Ann costume house, forked their her grandmother made. yard and Saranwrapped their car.”

“We used over 90 rolls of toilet paper. It took us several hours.”

Unfortunately the prank, although well executed, did not go as planned.

“Later, we found out the family wasn’t even home, and their neighbors had to clean it up for them,” Mackey said.

Mackey has put trick-or-treating far behind him, and thinks that teenagers need to too.

“I’d say tweens are pushing it. If you’re older than that, you need to mow someone’s lawn and buy your own candy,” Mackey said.

homes were scared,” Mayor Mark W. Eckert of Belleville said.

The law states: “It shall be unlawful for any person over twleve (12) years of age to appear in or upon any streets, highways, alleys, public parks or other places of the city in any mask or disguise whereby the identity of such person is concealed...” and “A special time limit ‘Curfew’ for all Halloween solicitation ‘trick or treat’ activities is hereby established to limit such solicitations between

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5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.”

Webster Groves has no such law, and a general consensus among adults is as Eric Dunn, teacher, stated: “I don’t care about the age. Just make sure you’re wearing a legit costume if you want candy from me.”

Susan Riegel, math teacher, agreed. “I think children today grow up so fast and if you enjoy going trick or treating, please continue to do so for as long as it brings you joy,” Riegel said.

Halloween history: Joke telling tradition confuses St. Louisans Riley Mullgardt Print Editor “Why are ghosts so bad at lying? You can see right through them!”

“Wait, jokes are only in St. Louis?

Are you kidding me? It’s called TRICK or treating,” senior Julia Ross said.

All over the U.S. children are just handed candy for wearing a costume, but not in St. Louis.

Here, children must say a joke or perform something in order to get candy.

The start of this tradition is unknown, but the motive is very clear: to prevent violent things from happening. This idea of making children say jokes in order to get candy so that no violent pranks were pulled was deemed successful and is still a tradition today. The jokes didn’t have to be scary; in fact, they’re mostly funny.

Some of the ECHO staffers’ favorites are “What was the most important class for the witch? SPELLING.” “Who did Frankenstein take to the dance? His GHOULfriend.” “What goes around a haunted house and never stops? A fence.” “Why are ghost good cheerleaders? They have a lot of spirit.”

This whacky tradition shocks some people from St. Louis, but it also shocks people who live in different places. The idea of having to work for candy upsets people. It is supposed to be a fun holiday, not a time for children to work.

Meanwhile, people in St. Louis think it is weird NOT to tell jokes.

“They just get candy for wearing a costume? That’s so boring,” senior Caroline Mund said.

“I’m going to make my kids tell jokes in my neighborhood when I grow up,” Ross said.

October 2017

Sports ECHO 10 Fall sports teams honor former student Everyone has different ways of remembering and honoring the lives of lost loved ones, and the high school’s way of remembering Alaina is having Alaina games for soccer and volleyball in September of each year.

Before she got sick, Alaina swam and played volleyball and basketball, although she was not able to play for any of the high school teams Photo by Greg Frazier before her passing.

The Webster teams wore Megan Eickhoff, junior, serves at the WG Varsity special jerseys in rememAlaina volleyball game against Pattonville Sept. 22. brance, and a collection of Josie Krueger money, or a miracle minute, Entertainment Editor took place during both games, soccer and volleyball. This and the $500 raised sellThree years ago on Thursday, Sept. 18, ing T-shirts to the student body was then 2014, 15 year-old Alaina Bickhaus passed donated to Friends of Kids with Cancer, away after fighting Edwing’s Sarcoma, a a support organization for cancer patients. rare type of cancer, for 15 months. Alaina This year Alaina’s brother, Adam Bickhad just begun her freshman year, joining haus is a freshman at the high school. He her junior brother, Trey Bickhaus, at the said, “Honestly, I am really happy that high school. the Alaina games are going on and that

Amelia (Heath) is speaking out about it because those two were always so close, and to see Amelia being a leader of that is just so amazing.”

Heath, junior, was on Varsity volleyball this 2017-2018 season and was close friends of Alaina throughout their childhood and up until her passing.

This year, Statesmen soccer played Lutheran South, winning with a final score of 6-2. Volleyball took on Pattonville, also ending with a win and a score of 22-6.

“At halftime, Lutheran South even made a donation. One of their players, maybe their captain, ran over and made a donation, which I thought was really nice.

It spoke well of them, I think,” head soccer coach Tim Cashel said.

Alaina passed away mere hours before soccer’s first Alaina game in 2014. Cashel recalled seeing members of the Bickhaus family at that game.

“It made a big impression on me personally, and the kids: how important her friends were and the school community was at that moment. That’s something I never forgot, something I’ll never forget,” Cashel said.

Men’s swim heads to MSHSAA State meet Greg Frazier Sports Editor Men’s swim has had seasonal success with seniors Chris Ball, James Andres, Andy Downey, Will Hayes and Trevor Mahoney.

Men’s swim started the season with two decisive wins against Affton and Mehlville on Aug. 23 and then Aug. 30, with an accumulative 80 point difference. The swimmers entered September by competing in the Rockwood Summit Quad with Eureka and Parkway North on Sept. 7.

Successes in August followed in September. The team defended Meramec against Westminster Academy on Sept.

21, by a close two point difference. Also, it defeated Parkway North five days after on Sept. 26, the end score was 118 - 58. A 60-point win for Webster.

Beginning of October brought three back to-back-to-back invitationals spread

October 2017

across Cape Rock and two again at Rockwood.

To prepare for the long travel to Cape Girardeau, swimmers were given gift pouches from their teammates.

Unfortunately the gift pouches didn’t work against Kirkwood on Oct. 10, because Kirkwood was able to stop the undefeated 6-0 Webster Photo by Greg Frazier Groves by 57 - 124: a 67-point deficit Senior Chris Ball swims butterfly at the for Webster.

Lindbergh Invitational on Oct. 14.

Four days after the Kirkwood meet, 200m IM with a time of 2:23.04.

Webster traveled to Lindbergh for After the Flyer Invitational, Webster the Flyer Invitational to help raise funds for children with cancer with Cape Notre would swim one last regular season meet Dame, De Smet, Jackson, Kirkwood, La- against Pattonville. It defended Meramec due, Marquette, MICDS, SLUH and Vian- one last time by a 105 - 78 point difference. At the time of writing this, Oct. ney.

Hayes said, “I had slow times when I 24. Webster will head to Pattonville to first started swim two years ago, but now compete in the Suburban XII Conference that I’ve had more time, I’ve been able to on Oct. 25 and 26. Then from Nov. 2-4, Webster is at St. Peter’s for the MSHSAA improve a lot more this season.”

Hayes would go on to take first in the State meet.

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Sports

Frazier from the Field

11

With Doria gone Webster left vulnerable Greg Frazier Sports Columnist Senior John Doria is out because of a broken collarbone. That leaves open the quarterback position and since he was the top scorer with 48 total points, heretofore, there are some big cleats to fill.

Photo by Greg Frazier The substituting quarterback is The football team rushes onto the field led by seniors Andrew Bistrow and Jason Tucksophomore Enrique Quinones. son without senior quarterback John Doria. Webster hosted Parkway South on Oct. Doria got injured at the end of the 20, with a 24-14 Webster victory. fourth quarter on Oct. 13 against Summit. Summit was able to win gressed my prediction looked to be com- Davis’s 27-yard field goal.The student over the Statesmen because of two close ing true. section lit up because this game gave Dacall decisions by the referees. Webster Parkway scored in the second quarter vis more playtime than previous. was within inches of the touchdown, by senior Laz Moore’s (19) pass to senior With Doria out, Davis stepped up and which had it scored would’ve put the Nick Chandler. The first half ended with lead the after touchdown extra point(s) Statesmen ahead of Summit 27-26.

Parkway ahead by seven points, and Web- opportunity.

However, the referees’ decision put ster still at null.

With a final effort by junior Patriot Ty Webster just short of the victory; this devSomething must have happened in the Osbey to try and attack Webster’s lead astated Webster fans and Doria. locker room to warrant a complete swing with a touchdown, Webster closed out the After the Summit game, Webster lost a in attack by the Statesmen as the third game with a touchdown by senior wide crucial game and a quarterback. It needed quarter yielded 14 points by Webster receiver Jackson Tuckson. a victory. sophomore running back Jerqon Conners.

The game ended 24-14, Webster win.

On the first drive of the Parkway South The game took a quick swing, and My prediction was completely off, and the game on Oct. 20. I was certain in the out- Webster now led over the Patriots. notable difference was between Webster come of the game to be a Webster loss, Fourth quarter began with senior TJ and Parkway instead of Parkway to Webby a notable difference. As the game proster.

Webster Tackles Cancer sponsors local families Sean Mullins Graphic Editor

Photo by Greg Frazier

Football head coach Cliff Ice talks with senior quarterback John Doria during the Varsity game against Lafayette on Sept. 29. Webster lost to Lafayette 27-25.

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Scott Harris Oliphant Foundation held its fifth annual Webster Tackles Cancer event at Moss Field on Oct. 13, to raise money for Webster families affected by cancer.

The SHO Foundation was created when Scott Harris Oliphant passed away in 2004 after battling cancer. His brother, Todd Oliphant, started the foundation in his memory, and since then, the foundation has raised over $500,000 for families dealing with cancer. His daughter, junior Ellie Oliphant, supports the foundation at WGHS by organizing events, starting fundraisers, and raising awareness.

“In the next year or so that I’m here, I’m going to try and get the high school as

involved as possible,” Oliphant said. The foundation began Webster Tackles Cancer to help families in Webster Groves. Webster Tackles Cancer is a football game in which every player wears pink in support of cancer research. During each year’s game, the crowd donates money to a Webster family dealing with cancer.

This year, the game raised money for Stacey Hill, a Hixson math teacher who recently completed treatments for invasive ductal breast cancer.

Every year, the foundation sells shirts at the game to raise more money for families. This year’s shirts were designed by junior Eavan O’Neil.

In addition to the family supported by the game, the SHO Foundation also gives a scholarship to a senior whose family is dealing with cancer.

October 2017

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Sports

ECHO

Athlete breaks softball hitting record Rosa Parks Feature Editor

Grace Behrle, September Athlete of the Month, has played softball since she was six years old. In her senior year, she broke a softball record.

Behrle’s main position in softball is 1B. 1B, also known as first baseman, is the position that covers the area of the field around first base.

She broke the school’s record of 47 hits in one season, by just one more-48. Behrle also hit 81 bases this season, beating the previous record by nine. About 45 percent of Behrle’s hits turned out to be doubles, triples or home runs.

About Behrle’s success, Coach Bryan Gibson said, “The coaches wish we could take some credit for Grace’s hitting, but I think it’s about 99.5 percent her hard work and understanding of the game. She doesn’t have a particular ‘normal’ hitting technique. She’s best when she simply allows her strength and timing to take over. That’s why we saw her get so many extra base hits this year.”

Behrle practiced a couple times a week, depending on how often the softball team had practices.

About tips for other softball players, Behrle said, “The more work you put into it, the more you get out of it. I got here by wanting it and being dedicated.”

Behrle was seen as an inspiration by her fellow teammates.

Allyson Peters, junior, said, “I’ve played with her on club teams outside of softball high school. Grace Behrle is a rockstar.”

Julia Love, junior, added,, “She (Behrle) always knows how to pick up her other players.”

Photo by Rosa Parks

Senior Grace Behrle runs from first to second base during a District semifinal game. The Webster Varsity softball team won the semifinal, but lost the District final.

Behrle has not yet decided where she plans to attend college but Mizzou is a possibility. She would prefer to go somewhere close to St. Louis. Behrle does not know if she will continue softball in college.

Gibson, who has seen Behrle play since fifth or sixth grade, said, “The biggest difference in Grace now, is her leadership; she has grown comfortable being a voice for the team and relentlessly encouraging her teammates.”

Basketball player commits to University of Tulsa Rosa Parks Feature Editor Kalen Rodriguez, senior, will be surrounded by thousands more people at University of Tulsa than she is at Webster Groves High School.

The private university is the starting ground of many famous celebrities. Rodriguez will be walking the same halls that Dr. Phil McGraw, Paul Pressey and other alums walked.

Rodriguez chose between Canyon University, Providence University and Bradley University, and committed to Tulsa University.

About why she picked Tulsa, Rodriguez said, “It felt like a family away from my family.”

Another reason she chose Tulsa was because of the distance.

Being about 381 miles away from each other was the perfect amount of space for Rodriguez between her family and college.

Karis Robinson, junior, said, “She’s very family orientated.

October 2017

The way she looks out for her brothers and sisters is an inspiration.”

The normal cost of attending school at Tulsa University is around $55,800, but Rodriguez, received a full-ride scholarship for basketball. She will continue to play throughout college. The University of Tulsa has a Division 1 sports team, Division 1 being the highest ranking of college athletics.

About who got her to this place, Rodriguez said, “My parents had a really big impact. My dad is the one who introduced basketball to me... and my mom helped me out academically.”

According to Robinson, Rodriguez has many qualities.

“She’s one of the funniest people I know, she can make any situation a happy one,” Robinson said.

“For all of the lower-classmen, make sure you take advantage of every opportunity there is. Go into the summer before senior year having an idea of what kind of school you want to go to. Fill out as many scholarships as you can, even if you have a full-ride scholarship,” Rodriguez said.

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Entertainment

Josie’s Journal

13

Hashtag creates empathy, advocates for victims Josie Krueger Entertainment Columnist

Countless social media users have come forward to share their experiences, their opinions, and their thoughts on sexual violence and misconduct through social media using the hashtag, “#metoo” in the past weeks of October.

This “#metoo” movement was inspired by the recent accusations against American film producer and co-founder of entertainment company, Miramax, Harvey Weinstein. About 56 women have made allegations of sexual misconduct from Weinstein according to their personal experiences.

Many of these women are actresses known for their roles in Miramax-produced films, such as Gwyneth Paltrow who starred in 1996 drama, “Emma.”

American actress, Alyssa Milano tweeted on Oct. 15, “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet. pic.twitter.com/k2oeCiUf9n.”

Succeeding the first “#metoo” Tweet from Milano, there was a chain reaction of Tweets and other social media outputs using the hashtag in support and, in some cases, against the movement.

These outputs support the original purpose of the movement, which is to establish empathy to help victims recover, and to expose the significance of sexual violence issues in today’s society.

One example is from Shelley Mishler, who on Oct. 23, tweeted, “#Metoo the assaults I experienced weren’t as bad as others, but I too have had them. Now I don’t feel alone or ashamed anymore.”

Photo by Josie Krueger Unfortunately, these Victims of sexual harassment and issues not only happen abuse spread awareness through in Hollywood but in hashtag. local communities like Webster Groves. Counselor Ken Winingham addressed solutions to these issues in our school in particular.

“I think our young men as well as our young women need to step up and say ‘You can’t do this.’ It shouldn’t just be (women’s) job to make sure (men) behave. That‘s kind of the new thing. White people need to tell white people about racism. Guys need to tell guys about sexism, instead of expecting the victim to teach the aggressor. That’s what I would hope the school could do,” Winingham said.

We wish everyone a blessed holiday season! wgecho.org

October 2017

14

Electric Retrospective

Entertainment

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Playtime is over for Toys to Life genre Sean Mullins Technology Columnist

Gaming is no stranger to fads- e.g. Guitar Hero’s plastic instruments. However, it’s tragic to see fads fade away because many are built on fascinating ideas, such as Toys to Life.

Toys to Life are physical figures used to interact with games.

Though some games use other methods, they typically use nearfield communication (NFC) to recognize figures, so they use a portal device that recognizes figures by a chip on the bottom.

The genre successfully appeals to three consumer groups.

Since many Toys to Life series are entertaining games even without the figures, gamers can enjoy them. The figures bring in children since it doubles as a game and a toy, and collectors desire rare figures and those of their favorite characters.

Skylanders wasn’t the first series to use figures to unlock ingame content- a more obscure title, “U.B. Funkeys,” beat it to the punch. However, “Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure,” released

by Activision in 2011, was the first to use NFC figures. Set as a revival of the Spyro the Dragon franchise, it was immensely successful, though it lacked its competitors’ brand recognition due to the long-gone mascot.

“Spyro’s Adventure” was praised for innovating with its NFC figures, as well as being an enjoyable adventure. While it kickstarted a franchise with five annual sequels, Skylanders also set the stage for three major competitors.

“Disney Infinity,” released in 2013, was a similar game featuring Disney and Pixar characters. While its campaign was basic and could become tedious, Infinity’s strength was Toy Box mode, which let players mix elements from the game and create their own worlds. Two sequels were made- “Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes” in 2014, which added characters like Hulk, and “Disney Infinity 3.0” in 2015, which focused on Star Wars.

It’s worth mentioning that Activision offered Skylanders as exclusive to Nintendo during the production of “Spyro’s Adventure.” While Nintendo passed on exclusivity, the series was made available on its systems, and the company saw opportunity in NFC figures. After testing the waters in 2013 with the unremarkable “Pokemon Rumble U,” Nintendo entered the fray in 2014 with Amiibo, which were NFC figures of Nintendo characters.

Nintendo had one advantage over the competition: Amiibo can be used across multiple games in different ways. For example, an Amiibo figure of Kirby could unlock an outfit designed after him in “Mario Kart 8,” but that same figure could be trained in “Super Smash Bros. 4” to become a sparring partner. Because figures could be used across different series, Amiibo stayed relevant as new games supported older figures in new ways.

One issue with Toys to Life is that most figures are statues, which makes them difficult for them to work as toys. Naturally, a toy company took a perfect opportunity. “LEGO Dimensions,” released in 2015, was basically another LEGO game at its foundation with Toys to Life added. Players received LEGO pieces with each purchase, so any figure could be taken off its base and

October 2017

played with like any other LEGO set.

Dimensions was a crossover featuring various franchises, including LEGO’s property such as “The LEGO Movie,” as well as movies, shows, and games. Dimensions was outlined for a three year plan, but instead of annual releases like Skylanders or Infinity, Dimensions was updated to be compatible with new figures. The Year 2 update, released in 2016, introduced new franchises like “Adventure Time” to the game.

It seemed Toys to Life was an unstoppable juggernaut in the industry. However, six years after Skylanders began, the genre’s future is uncertain for a few reasons. Children’s interest in toys is declining as technology becomes more easily available. In some cases, figures are understocked, which leads to scalpers selling them at high prices, but other figures are overstocked, wasting shelf space.

While some competitors are reasonably priced, some Toys to Life series take a toll on wallets. At full price, buying all content for LEGO Dimensions costs over $700, which is higher than most consoles. The market burned out consumers due to price issues, which wasn’t helped by the oversaturation of its four competitors, two of which had annual game releases.

In 2016, Disney closed Avalanche Software, who developed Infinity, and plans for a fourth game were cancelled. The future of Dimensions is unclear, as LEGO is cutting jobs due to falling sales and no news has come of the Year 3 update.

Skylanders is seeing success as a brand, including “Skylanders Academy,” a well-received Netflix animated series set for its third season in 2018. However, while the games continue to see positive reception, recent installments missed sales expectations, and the games are on hiatus for 2017.

Amiibo sales were mostly carried by the Super Smash Bros. line, since it included 58 fan-favorite characters across Nintendo’s franchises. Amiibo peaked mid-2015, as most of the Smash roster had been released, and declined when the Animal Crossing Amiibo line released. Despite Animal Crossing’s popularity, this line was tied to the critically panned “Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival,” and it took up space for figures people wanted.

However, Amiibo remain successful, despite other franchises’ fate. New games on the Switch featuring Amiibo content like “Super Mario Odyssey” have provided Amiibo with relevance once more, and sales are doing better, though far from their tremendous peak.

While it started off strong, Toys to Life was brought down by overpricing, overstocking, and oversaturation. Amiibo managed to survive plunging sales, but series like Skylanders were forced to go on hiatus. Disney Infinity couldn’t live up to its name when it ended abruptly, and it’s unsure whether LEGO can continue Dimensions as the company restructures.

For such a brilliant concept as combining toys and games, it’s rather disappointing what’s happened to the genre. Sadly, for most of the competition, it’s time to put the toys away.

(Note: LEGO Dimensions was officially cancelled during editing. Go to electricretrospective.wordpress.com for more info.)

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Entertainment

15

Green’s new novel fails to meet expectations

who are mentally ill are pushed over the edge by normal thoughts.

Mental illness is a popular topic, and “Turtles All the Way Down” isn’t notable enough to com“Turtles All the Way Down” by John Green, pete. author of “The Fault in Our Stars,” is thoughtThe ending is similar to the well-done “Lookful, but disoriented. ing for Alaska” ending but worse and unsatisfyThe book’s front-flap is misleading. The ing. The multiple plots converge with one plot book is very little about a 16-year-old girl, concluding with the use of a deus ex machina, Aza, trying to solve the disappearance of Ruswhich allowed for the rest of the plots to consell Pickett, father of her childhood friend and clude. The plots were resolved by luck but not billionaire, but about Aza suffering from obvirtue. Green felt he needed to explain the endsessive–compulsive disorder, which is what ing within the book, which reveals the problem the cover, title and only a small portion of the with it. front-flap portray.

Fans of the uninspired dreams of “Paper Photo from johngreenIn his book, Green asks timeless questions: Towns” will enjoy this book, while, fans of the books.com whether one’s experience makes who she/he is reflective, Salinger-esque “Looking for Alaska” Young adult author, John and what wealth does or doesn’t do to a person. or the witty, imaginative “An Abundance of Green, who has obsessiveThe plot is lost and twisted, and by comparison Katherines,” which lends better to Green’s voice, compulsive disorder, writes boring between Green’s beautiful anecdotes of will not. about a girl named Aza who infatuation, death and mental illness brought on A 13-year-old who looks for simplicity may shares the same struggle.

by Aza’s thoughtfulness. call it an insightful story. To like this book, one Relatable thoughts push Aza over the edge on multiple occa- doesn’t need to understand the full circumstances. sions. The use of these thoughts could construe them as more “Turtles all the Way Down” costs $11.99 on Amazon, pubsevere than they always are, especially for younger viewers. The lished by Dutton Books for Young Readers and contains 304 book properly portrays mental illness in this sense that people pages.

Cole Schnell Junior Editor

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October 2017

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Entertainment

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Birthday thriller puts viewers on edge Ashli Wagner Video Editor “Happy Death Day” has drama, jump scares and a few plot twists along the way.

The thriller film is written by Scott Lobdell (“Mosaic”) and directed by Christopher Landon (“Get Out”). It stars Jessica Rothe and Israel Broussard as two of the main characters.

Tree Gelbman (Rothe) wakes up to the chime of bell in Carter Davis’ (Broussard) room. She goes throughout the day as if it’s any other day until her roommate surprises her for her birthday.

In the evening she is invited to a party at a fraternity house across the college campus she lives on. On the way to the party, Tree is killed by a stranger in a baby mask which happens to be the school mascot.

When Tree wakes up back in the bed, she gets a sense of deja vu throughout the day only to be murdered again that night. She realizes what’s happening and does what she can to try and make her time warped day come to an end.

The movie takes a thrilling twist at the end of the movie when Tree finds out who the killer is.

The 96 minute thriller is rated PG-13 due to its violence and

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Photo from http://www.happydeathdaymovie.com/

“Happy Death Day” came out Oct. 13, andhas grossed of $30 million in 10 days.

foul content.

“Happy Death Day” was produced by Jason Blum and Blumhouse Productions. The movie was budgeted for $4.8 million and has grossed for over $30 million in 10 days.

Originally in 2007 when the movie was first announced Megan Fox was supposed to play the main role and Michael Bay was to produce it.

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